As reported by United Kingdom publication, The Telegraph, the news was confirmed by producer Statik Selektah shortly after Chuck Chillout’s stunning announcement of Phife Dawg’s passing. No official statement from the group has been made as of yet, but an outpouring of support for Phife and the Taylor family has been ongoing since the wee hours of the morning. “Phife-HipHop & Rap word Warrior, simple as that.Breathed it & lined rhyme into Sport.A true fire Social Narrator my bro #RIBeats ATCQforever,” tweeted Chuck D of Public Enemy fame.

Phife publicly battled health issues such as diabetes and kidney failure and received a kidney donation from his wife. He was currently working on a new LP, Muttymorphosis and released the Give Thanks EP in February. None of the members of A Tribe Called Quest have taken to social media to speak on the matter. Phife Dawg was 45.